Sorting and printing machine



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INVENTOR Ai-roRNEY Patented Feb. 1935 UNITED STATES 1,989,976 SORTING AND PRINTING MACHINE Frederick L. Fuller, West Orange, N. J., asignor .to International Business Machines Corporation, -New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application October 21, 1930;8erial No.

490,155. Divided and this app on 1933, Serial N0. 680,001

July 12,

20 Claims. (Cl. 101-2) This application is a division of the copending application of F. L. Fuller, Serial No. 490,155,

give a list of items of all checks of same classification on a separate strip, but for listing on a supplemental strip the items of the checks arranged in exactly the same sequence the checks are sorted.

The present machine is so arranged that it may be utilized separately as an item printing, a sorting or a check endorsing machine and while in the preferred employment of the machine the combined functions are preferably utilized to gain all the benefits, the invention is not limited to the combination as many of the features are applicable singly to machines of the separate and distinct types.

The machine embodying the various features thus described has been designed particularly for use in banks and by the inclusion of the sorting and printing functions it is able to effect to a great extent a considerable saving in time and labor now required in the accounting and distribution systems of the check departments of banks and clearing houses.

To more clearly perceive one of the outstanding benefits that accrue from the present machine a brief description will be given of the block system now in vogue in a majority of banking institutions.

The receiving teller, in accepting deposits, receives a considerable number of checks as well as currency. The deposits received are listed separately by the customer upon a deposit ticket which is checked for accuracy. The teller makes out a slip for the currency received. The total of ,the amounts on such slips subtracted from the totals represented by the series of deposit tickets gives the sum represented by the checks received. A series of such checks constitute a block.

The checks, in the sequence that they are listed on the series of deposit tickets, are then sorted into general classifications which operation brings the checks out of order with respect to their listings on the deposit tickets. Each group of checks of the same classification is then, by a separate operation, listed by an adding machine and a total obtained. A grand total of a series of such group totals must prove with the grand total of all deposit tickets and if they do not correspond the checks of the same classification are first compared with the listings on the related adding tape. If the entries on the tape are found correct and a discrepancy still obtains a detailed comparison between the amounts listed on the deposit tickets and the amounts listed on the adding machine tapes is required.

While the first comparison is tedious the last comparison is still more laborious and diflicult since by the sorting operation the amounts of the checks represented on the adding machine tapes have been brought out of order with the listings on the deposit tickets. a

By the employment of the present machine a block of checks may be sorted into twentyfour difierent classifications. As a check is sorted the item or amount represented on the check-is also printedupon a record strip associated with the compartment selected. The total of such items or amounts may, in the machine herein illustrated be mentally added, to give a total of the items of checks of the same classification. When such listings are effected upon the individual record strips, there is also listed upon a main record strip the item or amount indicated on each check sorted and these listings are made in exactly the same sequence as the checks are sorted or in the same order that the checks are listed on the deposit tickets. A total of the item listings derived by mental addition, in the present machine must agree with the total of amounts of the checks derived from the deposit tickets and if a discrepancy is observed a comparison between the item listings on the deposit tickets and those on the main record strip is required. An error will readily be noted due to the preservation of the item listings in the original sequence.

The correction may be required on either the deposit ticket, designating an error by the customer and failure to observe by the teller, or on the main recordstrip which indicates an error made by the machine operator alone in entering the item or amount.

The required correction upon the individual classification strip is then made, and as all totals are now in agreement the checks may be forwarded for disposition according to the manner in which they are sorted.

With respect to the machine as to its combined functions it is the main object of the present invention to devise a machine capable of sorting a promiscuous group of records or checks of different classifications and listing upon a main record strip in precisely the same sequence as the checks are sorted the items represented upon the checks.

It is a further object to include an individual record strip for listing thereon as the checks are sorted the items on the checks of the same classification, so that for every compartment receiving a series of checks of the same classification there will be provided a strip which separately lists the item represented by each check.

Considering the main record strip upon which the items are listed in the same sequence as the checks are sorted, it is a further object to enter and print such items as anincident to sorting.

Additional objects, with respect to the combined features, include an endorsing mechanism which effects endorsement in ink upon the rear face of each check as it is fed to the selected sorting compartment; 8. general arrangement of the machine to provide for sorting and printing operations in a manner which facilitates the operations required so as to eifect a saving in both labor and time over the systems previously employed; and a. general arrangement of the machine which facilitates the operations of the machine and which is carried out by placing the manually controlled devices within easy access of the operator.

A still further object of the invention, with respect to check feeding operations, is to provide a set of main feeding rollers which are adapted to feed a check inserted therebetween to the rollers which are related to the record receiving compartment.

A still further object of the invention consists in the provision of means whereby one .of the main feeding rollers carries an electro-type for endorsing uponthe rear face of the check as well as a series of printing wheels variably adjusted for printing dates and other variable data upon the check.

A still further object of the machine consists in the provision of a manual control over the driving of the cheek endorsing and compartment feeding rollers which permits the desired driving movement of such rollers to effect the endorsing and check feeding operations.

Considering the portion of the machine employed for the purpose of printing the items represented on the checks sorted and other functions, it is the main object of the invention to provide means to effect the listings of the items represented upon checks entered in a compartment upon a related record strip. To carry out this object the drum having the check receiving compartments is provided with a series of record strip printing mechanisms, there being a record' strip for each compartment. When a compartment is brought to position for receiving a check by depression of the related key there will be brought to printing position a related record strip.

It is a still furtherobject of the invention to provide in the' machine item indicating wheels controlled by 10 keys which inform the operator I the item to be later set up in the item printing devices. Since the items are set up on indicating wheels prior to the setting up of the item printing devices the operator is able to check for errors the items to be printed.-

In connection with the item printing devices of the machine there has also been included two sets of item printing wheels, one set adapted to print upon the selected individual record strip and the other set upon the main record strip.

In connection with the item printing devices of the machine previously mentioned, it is a further object of the invention to provide for printing of the items both upon the selected record strip and upon the main record strip. As to the latter, this function is obtained by rocking a platen to force the main record strip against one of the sets of differentially adjusted item printing wheels. For printing upon the selected record strip carried by the sorting drum the second set of item printing wheels is carried by a rockable frame which when depressed, forces the second set of item printing wheels against the selected record strip.

In order to inform the operator which compartment has received the record sorted this special character printing Wheel is provided to print with the items upon the main record strip the classification of the check bearing that item.

It is a further object of the invention whereby if the item printing wheels are incorrectly set up due to the depression of one or more of the keys in error, the incorrectly represented item will not be printed upon either the main record strip or the selected individual record strip.

For the attainment of the object, one form of mechanism described permits the shifting of the item printing wheel setting racks as a group out of operative engagement with the item indicating wheels so that these wheels may be subseillustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the righ side of the assembled machine, portions of the casing having been removed to more clearly illustrate the individual printers, the rotatable drum and the associated stop devices;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of the assembled machine looking at the left side thereof. This view illustrates the keyboard arrangement comprising the sorting compartment selecting devices and the item entering controlling keys and also shows the arrangement of the sorting compartments for receiving the checks deposited therein;

side of the machine showing particularly the upper portion thereof;

Fig. 5 is a central sectional view of a part of the sorting drum showing the manner in which two l e s ctionsof the drum are assembled to form a supporting means for the sorting compartments;

Fig. 6 (sheet 1) is an enlarged view of the end of the drum stopping arm;

Fig. 7 (sheet 1) is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the base of the machine showing in detail the maindriving motor, the speed reduction mechanism and the associated clutch and control devices for the sorting drum;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a part of the sorting drum showing particularly the main check feeding rollers and two sets of the individual compartment check feeding rollers;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the keyboard section comprising the compartment selecting devices;

Fig. 13 is a front view in elevation of the commutator and associated brush contacting devices for electrically controlling the selection of the compartments of the sorting drum;

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the wiring connections for the electrical instrumentalities of the machine;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view. taken on the line 1515 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 18. This view illustrates in detail some of the ten keys controlling the setting of the printing mechanism with their related differential controlling devices. Also in this figure is shown the preferred form of motor clutch and control;

Fig. 16a is a detail view illustrating the single key locking mechanism for the item printing controlling keys;

Fig. 1'7 is a detail view in side elevation showing how the differentially positioned controlling shaft is normally locked against operation;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the forward end of the mechanism for controlling the set up of the item printing devices showing particularly the arrangement of the ten item entering controlling keys, the item wheel carriage and item wheels controlled by the said keys and their relation with the racks which control the setting up of the item printing devices;

Fig. 19 is a detail view illustratingthe locking bar for locking the item representing wheels and the means whereby the locking bar is shifted to unlocking position when said wheels are restored to control the subsequent positioning of the item printing devices;

Fig. 20 is a detail view showing the relation of the master wheel and the item representing wheels and the mechanism provided for causing the step by step shifting of the item wheel carriage;

Fig. 21 is a view in side elevation of the escapement devices provided for the item wheel carriage and the manner in which the item entering controlling keys control the operation of the escapement devices;

Fig. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing particularly the association of the shaft which controls the differential stop devices with the item entering controlling keys. At the right portion of this figure is shown the frictional devices for causing the operation of the master- Wheel Fig. 23 is a detail view showing the preferred construction whereby the main operating shaft is normalized at the termination of the machine cycle;

Fig. 24 is a cross sectional view taken, on the line 24-24 of Fi 28a;

Fig. 25 is a detail view illustrating one of the item representing wheels and its relation to its associated resetting devices;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view taken on the line 2626 of Fig. 281) and shows particularly the two sets of item printing devices and the associated inking ribbon;

Fig. 27 is a detail of the locking devices for the racks which set up the item printing devices;

Figs. 28a and 28b taken together, with Fig. 28a on the left, show a longitudinal sectional view taken through the item wheel setting mechanism showing among other things one of the setting racks, its relation to the related item representing wheel and to two printing wheels of the two sets of item printing devices;

Fig. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine, the rack carrying frame having been removed to show more clearly the manner in which the special character printing wheel is differentially positioned under control of the sorting drum to designate the position of the latter. This view also shows the related printer and the manner in which the platen thereof is operated to effect the impression on the main record strip as well as the preferred construction for effecting paper spacing operations;

Figs. 30 and 31 are detail views in side elevation of two of the several operating cams and their connections for performing certain functions;

Fig. '32 is a view in side elevation illustrating one of the individual record strip printers upon which is printed the items related to the check which is forwarded to the associated compartment of the sorting drum;

Fig. 33 is a front view of the individual printer shown in Fig. 32.

Prime mover (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) The power to drive the various mechanisms of the machine is derived from a motor 10 (Fig. 1) rumiing constantly when the machine is in operation. From Fig. 8, it will be observed that the motor 10 drives a shaft 11, and through a reduction gear mechanism 12, a shaft 13 is also driven. By the provision of a spline 14 (Fig. 9) the shiftable clutch element 15 of a clutch mechanism has a constant driving engagement with the shaft 13. A companion clutch element 16 is loosely mounted on a sleeve 17 surrounding the shaft 13.

A driving engagement between clutch elements 15 and 16 is effected by the shifting of the vertical arm of a bell crank 18 pivoted at 19 to a bracket 20 secured to a base plate 21. The companion clutch elements 15-16 are normally separated by means of a spring 22 acting on bell crank 18.

Base plate 21 is secured to a pair of parallel cross members 23 (Fig. 8) which base provides the mounting at the lower part of the machine for the motor 10, reduction gear 12 mechanism, and by bracket 20 a support for one of the ends of the shaft 13, the shaft at this end being suitably be observed that secured to vertical supporting. or frame members 25 are bearing brackets 26 inwhich is journalled a rod 27. This rod is the sup-' 

